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Chapter
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Maxim of relation Be relevant. Maxims of manner Supermaxim: Be perspicuous. 1 Avoid obscurity of expression. 2 Avoid ambiguity. 3 Be brief (avoid unnecessary prolixity). 4 Be orderly. This account of the general standards governing verbal communication makes it possible to explain how the utterance of a sentence, which provides only an incomplete and ambiguous representation of a thought, can nevertheless express a complete and unambiguous thought. Of the various thoughts which the sentence uttered could be taken to represent, the hearer can eliminate any that are incom-patible with the assumption that the speaker is obeying the co-operative principle and maxims. If only one thought is left, then the hearer can infer that it is this thought that the speaker is trying to communicate. Thus, to communicate effici-ently, all the speaker has to do is utter a sentence only one interpretation of which is compatible with the assumption that she is obeying the co-operative principle and maxims. Recall, for instance, our example (16)–(18):
DOI link for Maxim of relation Be relevant. Maxims of manner Supermaxim: Be perspicuous. 1 Avoid obscurity of expression. 2 Avoid ambiguity. 3 Be brief (avoid unnecessary prolixity). 4 Be orderly. This account of the general standards governing verbal communication makes it possible to explain how the utterance of a sentence, which provides only an incomplete and ambiguous representation of a thought, can nevertheless express a complete and unambiguous thought. Of the various thoughts which the sentence uttered could be taken to represent, the hearer can eliminate any that are incom-patible with the assumption that the speaker is obeying the co-operative principle and maxims. If only one thought is left, then the hearer can infer that it is this thought that the speaker is trying to communicate. Thus, to communicate effici-ently, all the speaker has to do is utter a sentence only one interpretation of which is compatible with the assumption that she is obeying the co-operative principle and maxims. Recall, for instance, our example (16)–(18):
Maxim of relation Be relevant. Maxims of manner Supermaxim: Be perspicuous. 1 Avoid obscurity of expression. 2 Avoid ambiguity. 3 Be brief (avoid unnecessary prolixity). 4 Be orderly. This account of the general standards governing verbal communication makes it possible to explain how the utterance of a sentence, which provides only an incomplete and ambiguous representation of a thought, can nevertheless express a complete and unambiguous thought. Of the various thoughts which the sentence uttered could be taken to represent, the hearer can eliminate any that are incom-patible with the assumption that the speaker is obeying the co-operative principle and maxims. If only one thought is left, then the hearer can infer that it is this thought that the speaker is trying to communicate. Thus, to communicate effici-ently, all the speaker has to do is utter a sentence only one interpretation of which is compatible with the assumption that she is obeying the co-operative principle and maxims. Recall, for instance, our example (16)–(18):
ABSTRACT
Suppose that Peter is aware of (33). Then from the assumption explicitly expressed by Mary’s answer, together with assumption (33), he could infer conclusion (34):
(33) Mary does not want to stay awake. (34) Mary does not want any coffee.